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Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter, Area LTB1 Bridle Estate Morwell

Seatbelts in Cars, Car Theft, Profile of a Car Thief, Police Crime Report,

By Malcolm Lawrence - 2nd April 2003 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

Neighbourhood Watch Area LTB1, Bridle Estate.

Neighbourhood Watch Inc. No. A0037920V

Area Coordinators Carmen Cook 5134 1920, Val. Bartholomeusz 5133 9685.

Next Meeting

When: Monday 14th of April 2003.

Time: 7.15pm to 8.30pm,

Where: Salvation Army Hall,

Bridle Road, Morwell.

Please Note: The date of the next NHW meeting has been moved forward one week because of the Easter break.

Seatbelts in Motor Vehicles:

When you’re riding in a motor vehicle, your body builds up a good deal of dynamic energy. If a person weighing 60 Kilograms impacts at 20km/h, the force of the impact is 350-450 kg , six to seven times the person’s body weight. Unfortunately, an ordinary human being can support only two or three times their body weight. Without a seatbelt, if your vehicle’s speed in a collision exceeds SEVEN km/h, you won’t be able to prevent yourself from hitting the steering wheel. Hitting a concrete wall at 100km/h is like jumping off a 10-storey building.

If you don’t wear your seatbelt correctly, it won’t restrain you properly in an accident.

Correct use of seatbelts causes drivers to assume a proper driving posture, minimizing body movement so that the driver does not tire as quickly. Research shows drivers with properly fastened seatbelts have the same heartbeat and breathing rhythms as when they are not driving.

Car Theft, The facts:

It can take less than a minute for a thief to break into and steal a car. Approximately 75% of stolen cars will be recovered within a few days, however many of these will be badly damaged. The remaining 25% will be given a new identity or stripped for parts. Car theft in Victoria represents 9% of the crime reported. The recovery rate of vehicles stolen in Victoria is high (over 80%), however, many have sustained moderate or serious damage. Insurance claims amount to over $50 million annually.

Profile of a Car Thief:

Generally car thieves fall into two distinct categories. The opportunist and the professional.

The opportunist may see your car as a means of transport, or as an easy target and take it for a joy ride. Often when a car is stolen by an opportunist it is recovered in a damaged state.

Professional car thieves steal cars for profit. They are organised and work in teams, and are either after specific car parts or intend to change your cars identity, to sell it later.

What To Do If Your Car Is Stolen:

· Report it to the Police immediately

· Give Police the registration number, make, and model and colour of the vehicle.

· Notify Police of the location and time of disappearance.

· Notify your insurance company immediately.

·

Police Crime Report for March 2002, NHW Area LTB1 Bridle Estate

Due to privacy considerations NOT ALL Offences for this Area are listed

8/1/2003 Willow Court Property damage to a house.

1/3/2003 Bridle Road Forced entry and burglary at the school.

8/3/2003 Wyung Drive Property damage to a house.

8/3/2003 Bridle Road Forced entry and burglary at the school.

8/3/2003 The Avenue Burglary at a house.

10/3/2003 Wattle Tree Crescent Theft of a bicycle from the backyard.

14/3/2003 Wattle Tree Crescent Theft from a motor vehicle and burglary at a garage.

14/3/2003 Spring Court Burglary at a house.

16/3/2003 Bridle Road Burglary at a residence.

19/3/2003 Chestnut Avenue Property damage.

28/3/2003 Chestnut Avenue Forced entry and burglary at a flat.

30/3/2003 Garden Street Forced entry and burglary at a business premises.

Summary of Stolen Items for Above Offences

1 Electrical Appliance, 2 of Cash, 4 of Cigarettes, 2 of Clothing, 63 of Personal Property.

9 offenders were processed for any reported offence in the Area.

Kurnai Secondary College has been vandalised and burgled on several occasions recently. Residents are asked to keep an eye out for anyone loitering or acting suspiciously at the school after hours. Ring the Police immediately on 000 if you have any doubts about someone’s behaviour.

Did you check your smoke detector batteries when you changed your clocks, if the batteries have been in use for twelve months, they should be replaced with fresh ones to ensure the reliability of the smoke detectors.

Police Band Concert: The Police Show Band and The Police Highland Pipe Band will give a concert at Kernot Hall on Wednesday 18th of June. Tickets will be $6.00. More details in the next newsletter.

Deadlocks

One thief told of entering a house through the roof only to find deadlocks fitted on all the doors and locks on the windows, preventing him leaving with the VCR and a suitcase full of valuables. Instead he was forced to leave the way he came in, through the roof and empty-handed. If your house is fitted with door deadlocks and window locks use them!

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au